Follow-up

After you have begun taking medication for allergic rhinitis, whether over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor, tell your GP so that your allergic rhinitis can be checked whenever you have an asthma check-up.

You may need to visit a specialist or doctor with expertise in allergy if:

• your symptoms are severe or not responding to treatment
  
• you think you may have to change jobs or move house to improve your allergic rhinitis
  
• the diagnosis is not certain.

Key messages

• In people who have allergic rhinitis and asthma, effective treatment for allergic rhinitis is important to help keep asthma under control.
  
• Find out what triggers your rhinitis and asthma. It is important to avoid the allergens are a problem for you as well as using medications.
  
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays are the most effective available treatments for allergic rhinitis.
  
• Patients with allergic rhinitis severe enough to affect everyday activities or worsen asthma control will need long-term preventer nasal medication - just like asthma preventers.

Content Updated September 2006